Good morning, Albany.

A panel of judges selected nine honorees for the Community Service Awards—this month the focus is on the Warren & Denyse Mackey Foundation, Ryleigh Hotaling, and Reading Is Fun, Inc. The awards will be celebrated later this year during Capital Region Gives, sponsored by St. Peter’s Health Partners.

On May 25th, Troy police investigated an alleged stabbing on Hoosick Street that injured one man who was taken to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries—officials are asking anyone with information to come forward.

Local author and Colonie High alumna Julia DeVillers returns home on Friday to sign her new novel Meet Me in Wonderland at Barnes & Noble Colonie Center at 6:00 p.m.—The book draws on her teen experience working as Chuck E.

Cheese at Northway Mall and her battle with cancer, and her conversation will include fellow alum and comedian Greg Aidala.

Fifth-grader Krrisha Agrawal from Woodland Hill Montessori School in Rensselaer will travel to D.C. on Tuesday to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee—this 100th anniversary event will feature nearly 250 spellers testing their skills.

Nearly 5,000 students graduated from the University at Albany during its 181st commencement ceremonies held from May 15 to May 18, with events including individual stage crossings, an outdoor undergraduate ceremony, and separate celebrations for graduate, master’s, and PhD recipients — the festivities also marked mascot Damien’s 60th birthday and featured a proclamation from Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan — showing the strong spirit of the Great Dane family.

Monroe County used ExpressVote XL machines last week for a school board election where 32,000 people voted, marking the largest test of the device in New York.

Other counties are studying the machines for future use even as state lawmakers and court cases challenge their reliability—debates focus on whether the machines work as safely as paper ballots.

Alive at Five Summer Concert Series - Classic Rock Night

4:30-9 p.m. — Tricentennial Park — Free entry — Experience a night of classic rock with Queensryche and Gozer during Albany’s signature summer concert series.

Raymour & Flanigan Paint & Save

1-3 p.m. — Raymour & Flanigan — $1.50 ticket service fee — Paint a mug to support mental health therapy for service members and veterans.

Albany Comic Con

10 AM – 4 PM — Polonaise Ballroom at PCC — Free for kids 12 and under with a paying adult — Enjoy the premiere comic book and collectibles show in Upstate New York.

The Native Howl Concert

7-9 p.m. — Empire Underground — $39+ — Enjoy last-minute concert tickets for a thrilling performance by The Native Howl in Albany.

Neal Francis Concert at Tricentennial Park

4:30-8:00 p.m. — Tricentennial Park — Free entry — Experience Albany’s vibrant concert series featuring diverse live performances under the summer sky.

Albany Contra Dance

7:45-11 p.m. — Elks Lodge #49 — $8 – $25 — Dance the night away with the Capital District Megaband and caller Julian Blechner in a lively contra dance experience.

Annual Summer Market

11 AM – 3 PM — Stuyvesant Plaza — Free entry — Enjoy shopping, food tastings, and live music in a vibrant summer atmosphere.

Green's Blues Jam

7:30-11:30 p.m. — McGeary's — No cover charge — Experience an exciting evening of blues music led by jam master Richard Green.

Albany Water Lantern Festival

6-10 p.m. — Empire State Plaza — $28.99 - $55.99 — Experience a magical evening of food, music, and thousands of lanterns illuminating the night with love and hope.

Make Music Albany

12 p.m. – 11:59 p.m. — Albany City Hall — Free entry — Celebrate the joy of music across Albany with performances by local talents and community participation.